I am a governor at a Primary school in the south of the UK.  We need
to provide sun protection for the children in the playground.  It
needs to be weather resistant (i.e. wind) and permanent.  I would like
help with suppliers who provide architectural (i.e. Weather proof
fabric held in place permanently with steel (or other) "ropes".  The
suppliers must supply in the UK.

Hello ledborough,
I see why you are interested in sun protection for the children in the
playground. I looks as though there is a real effort being made in the
UK to provide an area of shade for School Children to play and or
relax. I think one of the links I have found will be just what you
require.

http://www.clovis-canopies.com/shade_structures.htm
All UK schools are being encouraged to provide shade areas for
children playing or studying outside.

Prolonged over exposure to the sun and episodes of sunburn under the
age of 15 are major risk factors for skin cancer in later life.
Practical protection in the form of shade is one of the most effective
ways of preventing sunburn and reducing the risk of skin cancer.

Shaded play areas can also be used for out door classrooms, play
areas, bandstands and many other uses.

http://www.fabricarchitecture.co.uk/news01.htm
Fabric Architecture is committed to the health and well being of the
children of The UK. With a mandate from OFSTEAD, all UK Schools are
being encouraged to provide an area of shade for School Children to
play and or relax. As a result, The Company has introduced a series of
12 shade structures at an average cost of £5,000.00.

The goal is to contact every school in The UK to offer this wide
variety of structures at these most cost effective prices.

http://www.sunguard.net/examstnd.html
Sunguard Standard Units are the perfect solution for providing shade
and UV protection for play areas, outdoor seating and
workstations,...anywhere shade is needed!

Constructed from breathable fabric canopies that are 80% water
repellent, Sunguard Standard Units lower the ambient temperature by
20° while blocking UV radiation by up to 97%. These units also provide
property protection reducing the damage caused by excessive heat and
hail. Every Standard Unit is engineered for winds up to 120 mph and
backed by the best warranty in the industry. These units can be custom
engineered for up to 150 mph wind loads and snow loads.

Our Standard Units are offered in a multitude of design options. With
the use of a modular concept, units can be interconnected to form many
shapes and sizes. Sunguard Shade Cloth canopies are available in in 15
colors and steel frames are available in 11 finishes.

Please look at these offerings and see if they are what you need. If
this is not quite what you are looking for, I will be glad to search
further.

Redhoss